Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots
By Amanda Bindel,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Program robots with code blocks, plenty of creative options.
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Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots
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What’s It About?
A Driving School lesson starts kids off with BLOCKLY FOR DASH AND DOT ROBOTS, introducing them to the commands that drive the robots. Once kids have their license, they can complete themed puzzles and unlock more as they advance or create original programs. Dash and Dot can drive in all directions, look toward a voice, light up in different colors, and make different sounds, including custom-recorded sounds. Kids can add in other variables to make the robots respond to obstacles and other conditions, too.
Is It Any Good?
Though these big-eyed robots may be absolutely adorable and good for lots of laughs with their quirky sound effects, they're actually teaching kids logic and hands-on coding skills. Creating their own projects is truly how kids can learn and have fun -- experimenting, taking risks, and applying logic and creativity. In terms of drawbacks, the puzzles are sometimes buggy, and there's very little help for kids who get stuck: The hints simply repeat the original instructions with slightly different wording and a bit of elaboration. However, the options available for sounds, lights, and movement make the possibilities for what kids can do with Dash and Dot almost endless. Though the robots are prohibitively expensive for many families, the potential for learning and fun is great, and perhaps the prices will fall over time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how robots are used today and how they could be used in the future.
Talk about the features of Dash and Dot that make them seem more lifelike. How does that make us relate to them?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: logic, solving puzzles, strategy, Tech Skills: digital creation, using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Paid, Free (Requires $149.99 Dash or $49.99 Dot robot from Wonder Workshop.)
- Release date: November 1, 2017
- Category: Education
- Topics: Robots
- Publisher: Wonder Workshop
- Version: 2.9.7
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.4 and up
- Last updated: January 21, 2018
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